We are currently piloting the new History Around Us series of books and activites designed for 2nd grade. These books may be used independently or in a series. Each book has a table of contents, a timeline, a glossary, a map and a "To Learn More About It" page. Many books also include a graph or chart. The optional activites for each book include a variety of word puzzles, crossword puzzles and mazes.

Our mascot, BC Black Squirrel, acts as a guide through all the books.

All books and activities are in Powerpoint and are free for teachers to download and to use in classrooms. To download these books click on title; click on (activities) for all classroom activities related to the book.

Please contact us with any comments or questions. We look forward to hearing from you about your experiences after using these materials in your classroom. 269-966-4157 or
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This book profiles Sojourner Truth, the former slave who became a nationally known anti-slavery lecturer and social reformer.She made Battle Creek her home for the last 26 years of her life. (activities)

Ellen White was the founder the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, whose visions led to the establishment of the Western Health Reform Institute and the beginnings of the cereal industry in Battle Creek. (activities)

As a young doctor, J. H. Kellogg returned to Battle Creek to lead the Battle Creek Sanitarium from struggling water cure hospital to a world famous health institution, where breakfast cereal was developed. (activities)

The founder of the science of dietetics and the wife of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, Ella Eaton ran the Experimental Kitchen at the Sanitarium, where the famous health foods, including cereal, were developed. (activities)

This book, illustrated with images taken from schoolbooks of the period, describes the daily schedule, lessons and activites in a 19th century one-room school. The activities are all taken from schoolbooks used by one-room school students in the Battle Creek area. (activities)

To help local teachers learn more about Battle Creek history, and the especially the stories of The History Around Us series, please readA Brief History of Battle Creek.

A Brief History of Battle Creek

Battle Creek’s heritage is rich and varied, making it one of the most historically distinctive communities in the country. Known across the globe as the breakfast cereal capital of the world, Battle Creek was also the cradle of the Seventh-day Adventist religion, the chosen home of social justice activist Sojourner Truth and a major stop on the Underground Railroad.

During the past 175 years Battle Creek has evolved from a small pioneer settlement to a village of progressive social reformers and an international industrial center.